ANKARA

South Korean prosecutors sought arrest warrants Monday for former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and four others over allegations of government interference in a military probe into the death of a young Marine in 2023, local media reported.

A team led by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon made the request after launching an investigation in July into the allegations of high-ranking officials under the administration of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol interfering in the probe, Yonhap News Agency reported

Marine Lance Corporal Chae Su-geun drowned during a search mission for flood victims from heavy rains in Yecheon County in July 2023 after he was swept away by strong currents.

Military investigators had concluded that Lim Seong-geun, who was then commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, and seven other officers bore responsibility for the incident and sought to transfer them to the police on negligent homicide and other charges.

The team is also investigating the alleged interference of Yoon in the probe into Chae's death.

Yoon was removed from office in April by the country's Constitutional Court, which unanimously upheld his impeachment by the National Assembly over his botched martial law bid on Dec. 3.

If the insurrection charges are proven in court, he could face a life term in prison or even capital punishment.